Apple rich enough to buy Nokia, RIM, HTC, Motorola and ... Samsung

By IBT Staff Reporter On 06/28/11 AT 1:42 AM

Nokia is not the leading smartphone company, but it is still the king of the phone market. Their durable and affordable phones are favorites among mobile users who do not care for camera, apps, and other accessory functions. The fact that their audience is different from current Apple customers could be a big plus in marketing. Dediu said Nokia is worth $22.6 billion. Photo: Reuters

RIM’s blackberry is probably best for corporate who has many classified information. With their high encryption technology, RIM and blackberry have managed to find their products on the hands of many corporate leaders. Dediu said RIM is worth $13.8 billion. Photo: Reuters

The Taiwan-based company has shown significant growth in the smartphone market, tripling their earnings compared to last year. Their lines of smartphones have shown quality products. Dediu said HTC is worth $25.4 billion. Photo: Reuters

While Motorola suffered slow developments since the success of RAZR, its Droid still remains strong in the smartphone market. Also according to the analyst, it is the cheapest among the major mobile companies. Dediu said Motorola is worth $4.2 billion. Photo: Reuters

Samsung, with their Galaxy SII and Galaxy Tab 10.1, is currently the biggest threat to Apple’s dominance in the mobile world. If Apple buys Samsung, it will definitely knock out its biggest rival. But it will be pricy. Dediu said Samsung is worth $53 billion. Photo: Reuters

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Apple, according to analysts, has enough cash in its war chest to buy out many of its rival mobile phone companies.

PC Magazine has reported that Apple, with its $70 billion in cash and liquid assets, could potentially buy Nokia ($22.6 billion), RIM ($13.8 billion), HTC ($25.4 billion), and Motorola ($4.2 billion). That's already 75 percent of mobile phone industry. And with some stretch on its finances, Apple could also add LG ($10 billion) and Sony Ericsson ($3.0 billion) to the list, but the mobile division of Samsung ($53 billion) won’t be available.

Horace Dediu of Asymco, who envisioned such a scenario, has constructed a chart with two vertical bar graphs; the left graph representing Apple’s asset and the right graph representing all the other major company’s entrepreneur value stacked on top of each other.

Of course Dediu’s speculation is just that, and it will probably not come into reality. However, there's no harm in imagining such scenarios.

If you were Steve Jobs and had $70 billion to spend, and assuming you will not face any regulatory hurdles, which companies would you buy? And why?

Click on the slideshow to read the strengths of each of the companies and give us your thoughts.